Stokes, Hales and Buttler get chance to stake claims

Pietersen will play in Wednesday’s Twenty20 match at Old Trafford but has been excused from the five Natwest Series matches next month.

The decision is part of Flower’s plans to regulate the workload of his players – particularly those like Pietersen who are regulars across all three formats.

The other big names who missed last Thursday’s 11-run win over Ireland – captain Alastair Cook, James Anderson, Graeme Swann, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan – all return to an ODI squad that includes Durham’s Ben Stokes.

Stokes is the only one of three debutants retained from the Ireland encounter – with James Taylor and Scott Borthwick standing down.

There are also Twenty20 call-ups for two more uncapped players in Nottinghamshire’s Alex Hales and Somerset’s Jos Buttler.

With Jonny Bairstow of Yorkshire also summoned to Dublin, though not selected, the future is beginning to take shape.

Hales could be the first to graduate to a regular starting spot, with England on the lookout for a new Twenty20 opener to replace Michael Lumb.

Stokes, meanwhile, could be viewed as a long-term replacement for fellow all-rounder Luke Wright, who has not been able to deliver on a regular basis.

National selector Geoff Miller explained: “The decision to omit Kevin Pietersen from the one-day squad is in line with our policy of sensibly managing player workloads and will give the opportunity to another batsman to test himself batting at No 4,” said Miller.

“Across both squads we believe we’ve selected an exciting blend of experienced international performers along with some exciting young players with a great deal of talent.

“We will need to play a high quality brand of limited-overs cricket against the world champions India.

“We’re very excited to have included some bright young players in the form of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Alex Hales, all of whom have proved themselves domestically and will now be looking to successfully take the step up to international level.”